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John Burtka III, writing at The American Conservative, explains the frustration American voters are feeling with the two main parties in politics today, the Democrats and the Republicans. Democrats are incensed at their party leadership for the mistreatment of Bernie Sanders, among other fundamental flaws. And after the Republicans failed to achieve the repeal of Obamacare that had been promised for nearly eight years, GOP voters are having second thoughts about their own party. Burtka writes that the frustration with the two main parties has created “the perfect recipe for the emergence of a viable third party.” He then points out the rise of the American Solidarity Party, which could attract voters from both the Trump and Sanders coalitions. Burtka writes (abridged):
Quietly gaining momentum is the American Solidarity Party (ASP). According to their website they are:
a true, organically-grown grassroots party that was formed by people looking for a third way in the polarized and interest-group-driven landscape of American politics, modeled on Christian Democratic parties throughout the world, shaped by unique aspects of American culture and law. In 2016, we officially incorporated, registered as a political party with the FEC, and ran a nationwide presidential campaign, all with purely volunteer efforts and small donors.
…
Will many Southern Strategy Republicans, fearing draconian cuts to social programs look for a centrist alternative? Will socially compassionate Democrats who are disgusted with the extreme partisanship in Washington move to the middle? Neither shift is beyond the realm of the possible.
The winds of change are starting to blow. 2018 could emerge as the year that a third party achieves viability—through moderation, not ideology.
Read more here.
